Communication Theory and Practice: Intro to Non-Verbal Communication Notes

Introduction to Non-Verbal Communication

• Non-verbal communication is a central component of the course Communication Theory & Practice, specifically addressed in Module 1 – Week 2.

• The concept is introduced with a Māori Whakataukī (proverb): "Mā te rongo, ka rongo."

  • This translates to: "Hear what isn't being said."

  • This indicates the profound importance of perceiving underlying messages that are not expressed through spoken language.

The Composition of Communication: The 7-38-55 Rule

• Communication is divided into three distinct categories, often referred to by the 7-38-55 rule regarding how a receiver processes a message:

  • Body Language ($55\%$): This is the largest component of communication. It includes all physical movements such as:

    • Facial expressions.

    • Arm movements and gestures.

    • General body posture and positioning.

  • Paralanguage ($38\%$): This refers to the auditory but non-verbal elements of speech. Key components include:

    • Voice tone.

    • Modulation (variations in pitch and intensity).

    • Pauses (the timing and use of silence).

  • Words ($7\%$): The actual verbal content or literal text of the message constitutes the smallest portion of the perceived meaning.

Core Characteristics of Non-Verbal Communication

• All non-verbal behaviour is communicative: Every action, even silence or lack of movement, conveys some form of message to an observer.

• Determined biologically: Some aspects of non-verbal communication are innate and universal across the human species.

• Culturally bound: While some traits are biological, many non-verbal cues are specific to certain cultures, meaning their interpretations can vary significantly between different groups.

• Ambiguity: Non-verbal communication is inherently ambiguous and multifaceted, which leads to significant cross-cultural implications and potential for misunderstanding.

• Meta-communication: Non-verbal cues function as a form of communication about the communication itself, providing context for how a verbal message should be understood.

Functions of Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal cues serve as an "affect" or tool to enhance or modify verbal messages in the following ways:

• Repeating: Reinforcing a verbal message with a non-verbal gesture (e.g., nodding while saying "yes").

• Substituting: Using a non-verbal cue instead of a verbal one (e.g., waving instead of saying "hello").

• Complementing: Adding nuances to a verbal message to complete the intended meaning.

• Accenting (Accentuating): Stressing or emphasizing a specific part of a verbal message.

• Regulating: Coordinating the flow of conversation (e.g., using eye contact to signal it is someone else's turn to speak).

• Contradicting: Sending a non-verbal message that clashes with the verbal one (e.g., saying "I am fine" while crying).

• Deceiving: Using non-verbal behavior to mask the truth or mislead others.

Audience Analysis and Decoding Cues

• Effective communication requires Active Listening, which involves more than just hearing words; it requires decoding non-verbal cues.

• Several personal factors influence how an audience decodes these cues:

  • Gender.

  • Age.

  • Cognitive ability.

  • Health status.

• Correlates of decoding: Research suggests that being proficient at decoding non-verbal cues is linked to:

  • Higher ability (likely referring to social or emotional intelligence).

  • Positive traits.

• The "Audience Question": Communicators must consider these factors when designing messages: "Why does this matter when we think about the audience of our messages?" Understanding the audience's ability to decode cues allows for more effective message delivery.

Synthesis and Summary

• Non-verbal communication encompasses both visual cues (body language) and auditory cues (paralanguage).

• Roughly $90\%$ of all communication is estimated to be non-verbal (aggregating body language and paralanguage).

• Culture is a primary influencer of both the behavior of the sender and the interpretation of the receiver.

• Non-verbal communication is not secondary; it serves multiple enhancing purposes that define the clarity and intent of social interactions.

• Improving audience understanding directly correlates with better communication effectiveness.